Impact of Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index and Gestational Weight Gain on Pregnancy Complications and Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To assess impacts of pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain (GWG) on pregnancy complications and outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed 2488 pregnant women from Zhuzhou Central Hospital (2022). Participants were categorized by pre-pregnancy BMI (underweight, normal, overweight, obese) and GWG (insufficient, appropriate, excessive). Multivariate logistic regression evaluated associations with outcomes, adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS

Significant differences existed across BMI groups for age, parity, gestational diabetes (GDM), gestational hypertension (GHT), preterm birth, birth weight, cord entanglement, and delivery mode (all p<0.05). GWG significantly associated with age, parity, GDM, GHT, preterm birth, birth weight, and delivery mode (all p<0.05). After adjustment: Pre-pregnancy BMI: Underweight women had higher risks of preterm birth (OR=3.14, 95% CI:1.37-7.23) and GDM (OR=2.94, 95% CI:1.60-5.39). Overweight women had higher risks of GDM (OR=5.62, 95% CI:2.86-11.06) and GHT (OR=9.49, 95% CI:4.17-21.60). GWG: Insufficient gain increased risks of cesarean delivery (OR=1.48), low birth weight (LBW; OR=2.30), and macrosomia (OR=2.82). Excessive gain increased risks of preterm birth (OR=2.36), GDM (OR=1.52), GHT (OR=1.61), cesarean delivery (OR=1.57), LBW (OR=3.70), and macrosomia (OR=5.39) (all p<0.05 unless specified). Notably, obesity showed no significant associations. Maternal age ≥35 years independently increased preterm birth risk (OR=1.58), while high parity (≥3) was protective (OR=0.75).

CONCLUSION

Pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG significantly influence pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes. Proper weight management may improve outcomes.